The Pagan Hooker

Bi-annual report

2008-10-06T16:55:00.002-05:00

I might delete this blog. I never seem to update. For some reason, I can update like crazy to my LJ, to MySpace, and to Facebook. But not here.

Not long after the last post, I learned that I was pregnant again. Started the blood thinners and everything was going very well. Unfortunately, I started dilating early. The doctor put a stitch into my cervix and kept me in the hospital on bedrest, but I still delivered prematurely at 21 weeks. Ronan DeWayne Ivey was born on September 21 at 12:23 pm and passed away at 12:53. He weighed 14 oz and was 11 inches long.

I ended up with a serious infection and spent another week in the hospital. during that time, I did manage to crochet a little pouch that Greg and I were able to place Ronan in for the cremation. I used the yarn that I had been saving for his blessing ceremony.

Greg and I are doing ok right now. We have planned a memorial service for the first Sunday in November, All Soul's Day. Greg goes back to work tonight. I'm off until the end of the month. I'm going for daily antibiotic infusions for another week.

I took pictures of the little pouch. I might post them later. I wish I would have taken pictures of the little wooden cross and sword Greg carved for him, but I don't think that I did.

YIKES!

2008-05-16T20:55:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it's been SIX MONTHS since I posted anything. Bad, bad, bad blogger.

I have actually blogged at my other site (www.revia.livejournal.com), but there's been a lot going on in my life, and I completely forgot about this site. Sorry!

Greg and I had another miscarriage in January. We have since seen a fertility expert who has diagnosed me with a clotting disorder. If I get pregnant again, I will have to go on blood thinners throughout the pregnancy.

I've been seeing a chiropractor for some back problems. And an ENT about some allergy problems.

And I have been working my butt off. And crocheting until my fingers go numb.

I finally opened a shop on Etsy. You can find it here. I hope to add more stuff as I go... and I hope people will buy some of my stuff.

OK, it's kind of late and I need to get to bed. I will try to post more soon. I promise!

2007-11-12T10:35:00.000-06:00

Yeah, I haven't posted in nearly a month. Other than the OT, I have also been writing a novel for NaNoWriMo. I have to get going, though. I have some more lap blankets to finish, and I need to get started on Christmas/Yule presents.

BUT... Guess who I ran into when I went to a NaNoWriMo meet-up?

It's Lesa, aka MollyKnitsSweaters! Yeah, the picture isn't great. It was taken with my cell phone that doesn't have a zoom feature. Crappy phone!

Anyway, she was at her SnB, knitting away at socks. I was typing away at my zombie novel.
I might join her once November is over.

Oh, and for those who are interested in my zombie novel, you can read it as I write it here.

OK, I need to get going. Later all!

iSux

2007-10-18T16:44:00.001-05:00

I haven't posted in ages. My cable for my camera is lost. I haven't been crocheting much. And I have been working a gazillion hours. A minimum of 60 hours a week since the beginning of September. As many as 96 hours one week. Great checks. Very little me time. Somehow I have managed to do it without getting seriously ill.

I have been posting to my other blog, but since it is "friends only", you need to have an LJ account and be a friend to read anything.

I have other interesting pictures that I will post as soon as I find the cable. I will show pictures of the lap blankets I have been working on. And maybe I'll actually start and finish another project before too long. The holidays are coming and I think everyone deserves crocheted items. Or donations to the Heifer project made in their name. They have a gift called the Knitting Basket.
It provides a family with four wool-producing animals (sheep, llamas, or alpacas), to allow them to earn an income from the wool. I wonder how many "baskets" could be bought if all the online knitters were to donate a few bucks. Hmmmmm......

OK, I need to hop in the shower and get ready for another shift at work. My head hurts a bit and I really do not want to go, but I told my boss that I would not only work, but I would come in early. I'm such a trooper!

Tomorrow morning, though, I am going out for breakfast with my dad and then we are going to check out the shiny, new Cabela's that opens.... tomorrow! YAY!

New patterns?

2007-08-13T13:01:00.000-05:00

So, exactly when does a pattern that you are using become your own? As in, how many changes do you need to make before you can claim that it is your own original pattern? I have modified a few patterns, mostly because I believe that the instructions were wrong.

I found a delightful shawl pattern that I started working on in one of the Jiffy yarns. But, I didn't have as much of the same dye lot as I thought I had, so I put it aside, probably to get frogged at a later date.

I didn't have any more bulky weight yarn, which the pattern called for. But I did have this wonderful "vintage" mohair blend that Greg found at a yard sale a couple of years ago. It's closer to baby weight, so there would obviously be a gauge issue if I decided to use the pattern as written. So, I changed hook size to something smaller, added more stitches, added more rows, and changed some double-crochets into trebles. I'm about half-way done (I will post pics later when I finish), but it's already looking more gauzy and delicate. It still looks like the original, in a way (at least to me), but the gauge is completely different, and the pattern has definitely changed. But is it mine yet?

Whether it is or isn't, I need to get back to work on it. TTFN!

Yay

2007-08-06T15:51:00.001-05:00

I got my invite to Ravelry. Yippee! This is just what I needed, another time suck. :-P

I didn't make to Lollapalooza on Saturday or Sunday. I was too sick. Still sniffling a bit, but at least I am no longer running a fever. I spent most of the weekend on the couch, watching TV and attempting to crochet. I made a choker that should have taken me an hour at the most but instead took me 3 or 4 hours. I really don't like the way it looks, but I will post it here to get comments from the peanut gallery.

I do have a few photos for you all...

This is a picture of Deb after she was turned into a zombie. Actually, it is Deb and Julie on the losing side of a Kubb game. I'm not exactly sure why she looks like that.

And this is Deb making the campfire go "whoooooosh". I don't know why I seem to have so many pics of Deb. Maybe I'm subconsciously trying to steal her from Suzanne.

This year, at Lollapalooza, there was a big push to make the festival as green as possible. There was recycling, and biodegradable cups and TP, low-emission lighting rigs, and even solar panels:

She was sparkly. That's the worst part of missing Lolla... missing all the people watching.

I did get to see one band that completely rocked. At least in my opinion. I captured one of their songs on my camera. The sound sucks and the video isn't that great either. I'm still learning.

OK... I have some stuff I need to do that doesn't involve a computer. I will try to get back and post more camp out photos later. I might even have one or two of Suzanne!

I know, I know

2007-08-02T10:04:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in a while. Had the awesome camping trip with NIPA (and got to see Deb and Suzanne!!!!!), then had to read HP&tDH, then had to go back to work. Damn work.

I am supposed to be going to Lollapalooza this weekend. I am volunteering, so I get into the concert for free. Yay me! Right now, however, I am developing a cold. I thought it was just my allergies, but I took my meds, and took some extra, and now it feels like a cold. Grrrr..... I am going to spend the day taking cold meds and doing as little as humanly possible. I really don't want to cancel this weekend.

I have been crocheting, I've made quite a few wash cloths and I am working on a Goddess tote done in filet crochet. It's about half done. I will take pics as soon as I am finished with it. I will be selling my cool stuff at Pagan Pride Day, so come on out if you are in the area.

OK, I need some more drugs and some sleep. I will post pics later. I promise!

Going camping

2007-07-19T10:06:00.000-05:00

Leaving for the annual camping trip in an hour or so. Going to see Deb and Suz. Going to renew vows with the hubby. Yippee! Gotta go!

Angels and organization

2007-07-15T20:34:00.001-05:00

Taking a short break from a massive cleaning/organizing blitz. I have filled 3 12-gallon bins and 8 rather large drawers of 3 storage organizers. With yarn. The bins are filled with acrylic (and there is still more to organize!). I haven't separated them into colors or types. They are my lap-blanket and oh-my-god-the-baby-shower-is-this-weekend-and-I-completely-forgot-better-whip-up-a-
generic-baby-blanket yarns. I have had a couple of large donations. Most notably, 5 trash bags filled of yarn that a coworker gave me after sorting through his mother's house before they sold it. Some of it was pretty nice. A lot of it was hideous. A lot of it was thread. Size 10. Filled up all three drawers of one of those organizers. Anyone out there make doilies? And really like white or ecru?

I have put some of it to use. I made this little angel for my godfather's mother:

My mother and Greg were incredibly impressed that I made this with my own two hands. I don't think it's that spectacular, but they liked it a lot. You'd think that everything I ever did before was crap the way they kept carrying on. :-)

I'm also working on a filet crochet altar cloth. I've come up with a pattern for the phases of the moon Goddess symbol, which I am going to repeat around the edges, with the outstretched-arms Goddess symbol in the center. Like the one from the tarot bag. I really want to play and experiment on it NOW, but I have more important things to work on.

Such as the booth I will be having at Pagan Pride Day. I will be selling some of my handmade goodies there. I know that I will have a plethora of washcloths, and probably some tarot bags. I'm also thinking of making some felted bowls, in elemental colors. They would look cute on an altar. If I still have time after all of that, I will then work on the altar cloth, see how fast I can work that up, and maybe make one or two of those. They would cost far more than some of the other stuff I make. This designing your own patterns thing, then having stuff that needs blocking, is hard work. :-)

OK, I need to get back to cleaning. I can't stay up too late. Have to go to work tomorrow. I haven't been there since Tuesday, I'm sure they all miss me. Of course, I'm only working 2 days, then taking another week off to go camping! Yay, camping!

A tarot bag

2007-07-11T15:35:00.000-05:00

While at work yesterday, I created this little Tarot card bag:

I designed all of it myself, not liking the patterns I saw online for Tarot bags. It was my first attempt, and I figured out all the stuff that I wanted to change about it as I was working on it. I could have frogged it when I was a bit over half-way through, but it seemed like an awful lot of work for me.

It was made using A-MAIZing corn fiber yarn. Used most of the skein of green, not too much of the white. I like this yarn, but I think it would be more useful in knit patterns. It's light-weight, but works up almost like worsted-weight yarn. It would drape lovely in a knit pattern. Not so much for crochet. (Almost sounds like I know what I'm talking about, eh?)

I'm gifting this bag to Kris. I plan to make more using the same pattern, may try other designs such as Celtic knotwork or a pentacle. I finished it rather quickly (maybe 6 hours total, probably less). I think the next one will be made from cotton, or maybe wool.

Tomorrow is Greg's and my anniversary. 10 years! Woot. Unfortunately, it looks like we might spend it at the hospital with my dad. Yippee.

I need to take a bath and get out of this house for a bit. It was supposedly a beautiful day (wasn't it, Weather Avatar ------->), but I spent it sleeping off the effects of a 36-hour shift. 'Sokay, though. I don't have to go back until Monday. Then, I work Monday and Wednesday and don't go back for a week! 'Cuz I will be CAMPING! With NIPA. And Deb and Suz are coming home to camp with us!!!!! YAY!

Staying up late....

2007-07-03T00:52:00.000-05:00

...finishing this:

It's a tote bag made from the tape from a VHS cassette. Pretty nifty way of recycling the tapes that we have replaced with DVDs, huh? I still need to work out the strap so it's more secured... I sort of did a Frankenstein on it. Here's the pattern I used on it (I used an N-hook):

Chain 30
Round 1: HDC in second chain from hook and in chain across (front loops only). DO NOT TURN.
HDC in free loops along other side of chain. Join to beginning HDC with slip-stitch.
Round 2: Chain 2. HDC in each HDC around. Join with slip stitch.
Repeat until bag measures about 11 inches or so (however big you want the bag).
On next round, HDC in next 27 HDCs (to opposite end of the bag). Chain 40 (or length you want the strap). Join with DC to HDC just before start of new round. Slip stitch into HDC just before that. HDC across chain. Join with DC to bag in HDC next to chain. HDC around remainder of bag. Join with slip stitch to strap. Fasten off.

OK. So this is the first pattern that I have written out. I'm not even sure if I can understand what it says. Like I said, I need to work on the strap. I tacked it on a bit better after I did what I wrote above, it seemed a little flimsy. I want to use this as a grocery bag, so it needs to be sturdier.

If I ever do the Etsy thing, I might include these. They don't take much time (I finished it in one evening after taking it apart multiple times and taking many breaks). And they really don't cost me much except for my time. The tapes were going to get tossed anyway. I'll work on the pattern a bit more before I would actually sell them, though.

Gots to get some sleep now, though. Way past my bedtime! 'Night!

still alive...

2007-06-30T12:19:00.000-05:00

Once again, I'm sorry I haven't posted much recently. My dad spent the last week in the hospital, going in the day after we got back from camping. He was in for a couple of days before the trip as well. So, I've spent most of my time at work, comping, or at the hospital for the last 2 weeks. Not nearly as fun as it sounds...

Speaking of fun, camping was not very much fun. I really do not like spending that much time with my brother and SIL. I love the kids, but I don't feel that it is my responsibility to keep them in line when their parents are around. I also do not like to clean up after anyone other than myself (and occasionally Greg). And my brother's family is lazy. Plus, it stormed on the last night we were there. So, the next day we wasted no time in packing up and getting out. I felt kind of bad, because my brother was hoping to spend more quality time with us, but my dad was sick, and everything was wet, so we wanted to get out of there.

I didn't get to do any real hiking. I'm not sure I would have been able to manage anyway. I tried taking my dad's dog on one short trail, but she doesn't do stairs. Then I tried to take my niece and oldest nephew, but my niece had to pee after we made it down the 40 or so steps and insisted that we had to go back to the campsite. I didn't bother trying any more. My knees were starting to hurt anyway.

I did get some lovely pictures, though.

This is a view from trail 7 at about 6 am on Midsummer morning. Pretty place, no?

These are some strange mushrooms found on the same trail, about 5 minutes before Krystal decided that she didn't like stairs.

And this is a snail found while taking Krystal for another walk.

I think nature photography is going to be my new hobby. I REALLY love my new camera!

Finally, here is the whole group of us at the end of the trip:

From left to right (for those who don't know the people involved):
Top: Greg, my brother James, my dad, baby Brendan (the youngest nephew), and my SIL Jen.
Bottom: Me, my niece Korrine (aka Lupa), and my nephew Alexzander.

Krystal was sleeping in the car.

In crocheting news... not a whole lot going on. Working on a lap blanket. Got some organic cotton yarn for dishcloths, bath supplies, etc. I'm also jazzing up some flip flops for friends and family. Once I have something interesting to post, I will take some pics of everything.

Not much else to post right now. I have a ton of housework to do. I'm thinking of skipping it and mowing the lawn, though. It is a gorgeous day outside, and I want to have an excuse for being out there that doesn't make me look like a slacker. TTFN!

I knew I had forgotten something...

2007-06-17T20:58:00.000-05:00

Actually, I hadn't forgotten about this blog, I've just been busy, and my internet has been acting up. But, I have a new camera, and I finally got around to installing the software, so..... NEW PICS! Yippee!

First, I got my gifts from my secret pal. I still haven't had a chance to go to her blog and check her out more, but I was very happy! I got some Maggie's Linen that I have coveted for about a year or so. I have no idea what I want to make with it, I just love the stuff. It's soft and texture-y and absolutely scrumptious. See for yourself:

And she also made me this awesome doily:

I love the colors. It's like some mod, paisley, hippy doily. It is SOOOO me.

She also sent some awesome sandalwood soap. I luvs sandalwood. AND... a tub of Cosmic Catnip, my kitties favorite. I was wondering why they were crowding around me when I was opening the package. I gave them all some, watched them roll around in it, then I placed the tub (with the lid on) on the couch while I went to get something. I came back to find Zorro carrying the tub in his mouth (by the lip of the lid), trying to figure out how to open it. Happy kitties everywhere!

I am late sending my pal's package out. I was supposed to send it out last week, but I didn't get the chance. I am sending her this lacy shawl pattern, enough of this yarn to finish it (I hope!):

And I also sent some of this fluffiness:

The colors don't show up that well. They are muted pastels. My brain isn't functioning properly, or I would be able to tell you what it's made of. It's soft and fluffy. Mohair? Angora? I can't remember. I know it's a blend, and it has the dreaded acrylic in it, but it was so touchable and soft, I had to get it.

A number of things have been taking up my time lately. My mother's birthday was at the beginning of the month. I bought her a red hat and took her out to lunch and then we went to a swap meet. Here she is in her hat:

And here is my dad in her hat:

We have been working on the house, bit by bit. Put in a closet organizer in the master bedroom and we bought some new bedroom furniture. KING-SIZED BED! WOOT! The new furniture takes up most the room, but it is so worth it. I will try to get some photos soon.

And speaking of the house, last week we had this little guy:

pecking at our windows. Every morning for nearly a week. It drove the cats crazy. And he would peck even more if he saw the cats in the windows. Must have a nest nearby and felt he was protecting it.

OK. I need some sleep. We are leaving for our first camping trip of the year on Wednesday, and I have a gazillion things to do tomorrow. We want to be able to leave as soon as we get off work Tuesday morning, so the van needs to be packed tomorrow. And I have my book club (and I need to finish the book!), so it's going to be a long, long day!

TTFN!

WIPS

2007-05-28T23:50:00.000-05:00

My SP10 hostess has asked us to post about our oldest WIPs. She also mentioned taking pictures of the blasted things, but I am refusing to take any pics until the new camera comes in. Which is supposed to be Thursday. This old one just pisses me off anymore, and I can't take it. Especially after using my mother's for a couple of days. The color difference is unbelievable.

I might relent and post some pics on Wednesday if the weather is nice and I have time.

I'm not sure what my oldest WIP is. When does it officially stop being a work-in-progress and become a UFO? Is there a certain amount of time when you realize that you will NEVER even attempt to finish said project?

I would have to guess that my oldest WIP is a baby blanket that I started for my niece's baby. I started it sometime early last fall. The baby is 5 months old now. I might go back to finishing it. It was the sock monkey blanket from the Happy Hooker book. Unfortunately, the yarns I got weren't exactly right, and I didn't actually read the directions, and I never could get the hang of making the monkey heads.

I also have the blasted tote that will someday be finished, felting and all. I used the wrong yarn on one of the stripes of the bag, so I had to take out another 10 rows to fix it. And now, I'm not exactly sure which hook I used. I really need to get a small notebook for my bag so I can keep track of my projects, the types of yarn and the size hook. Maybe I could use that lovely little book that Noodle Girl gave me. I could even put swatches in it. OK... I could barely type the word swatch without busting out in laughter. As if I would ever swatch! Where's the fun in that? It's almost unsportsmanlike!

SP10 will be drawing to a close soon. I need to get the last-minute goodies I want to send my pal... I was thinking of ordering some yarn online, but I think I might just go to my LYS and get her a skein of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn. It is so soft and comes in lovely colors. Hmmmm...

Alrighty... off to bed. Later, peeps!

Outdoors pics

2007-05-19T14:14:00.001-05:00

Sorry if these take a while to load. I thought the bigger pics would be better for detail.

I took these with my mother's camera, which happens to be the same kind of camera that Suz has. I liked it so much, I bought one off of Ebay. I can't wait for it to get here. Finally, clear pics!

So, this is my rhododendron. The thing is frickin' huge. The top branches reach the bottom of my roof. And it really is hideous, except for one glorious week in spring! Actually, it's been in bloom for about 2 1/2 weeks, which more than makes up for the other 50 weeks of weird-looking-plantiness.

And here is one of my mystery flowers. Almost looks like some sort of lily, but it's on a woody, trunk-like stem. It's a perennial, and it has been cut back a few times. I don't know what it is or how big it could get. Anyone have some ideas? I'm really new to this gardening/landscaping thing.

Another mystery plant. I actually think I used to know the name of this when my mother worked for a florist, but I don't know it anymore. It's some sort of succulent. And for the life of me I can't remember if it ever flowers or not. It almost reminds me of those horrid hens and chicks plants that I despise. They might actually be related.

Hopefully I will get my new camera soon. My peonies are ready to bloom and I want to get pics before they go away for the summer. I also have a rose bush that I need to plant, might do that today.

In hooking news, I'm working on my first doily. Not exactly sure why I decided to make one. I had a pattern, I had the thread, I had the hooks. I want to be able to make lacier things eventually, and figured a doily would be a nice place to start. I finished most of last night. I'm hoping it won't look as wonky once it's finished and blocked. I think I might give it to my SP10 recipient. She collects lacy things and apparently has a small doily collection. I wanted to send her socks, but there's only a month left, and I won't get them made in time, and Greg won't make them for me.

Later, gators!

SP10 contest

2007-05-15T16:49:00.000-05:00

My hostess has a contest going on where we are supposed to post about where we knit/crochet. I was going to put all sorts of pretty pictures, but I borrowed my mother's camera to "test drive" it, then realized I have no way of getting those pictures from the camera to my computer. My mother did not include the cable when she loaned me the camera. I'm not sure she even knows that there is a cable. Hi, Mom! (in case she is reading this!).

So, here is the post without pictures. Most of the time, I crochet (and once in a while, knit... the same scarf I am practicing on) on a couch in front of the TV. Either at home or at work. If I am at home, I also have an 8 pound ball of fluff sitting on my knee. Morganna likes to keep my right knee warm while I crochet. Occasionally, she'll help keep the yarn properly tangled.

When I have the time, I pop in a TV series that I never had a chance to watch when it actually aired, and I will crochet through a season of TV shows. Or, I watch whatever movie that "accidentally" wound up in my Netflix queue. Not sure how Katherine Hepburn films end up in the mailbox. Greg is threatening to sue. :-)

Not terribly exciting. Not very original. I crochet while I watch TV. But there is more...

A number of us bring our knitting/crocheting to church. It was quite the scandal at the beginning, so we asked the minister if he minded (since, really, he is the only who should be able to see us). He said he would rather see us knit than sleep during his sermons. It helps that many of us are making lap blankets for nursing home residents, or mittens/scarves/hats for the Christmastime mitten tree. So, it's charity, at church. And it keeps our hands busy so we can actually pay attention to what is going on.

AND... I often keep small projects in my purse, like dishcloths and baby booties. At least, when I don't have a book to read or I am going to be spending time with someone who will be interrupting my reading.

OK, that's it. I need to go and take up my spot on the couch. Greg bought me seasons 1 and 2 of Red Dwarf for my birthday!

Landscaping

2007-05-09T10:37:00.000-05:00

I posted about this on my other blog, but I know that some people don't read that one, so I'll post about it here.

I've been doing a lot of yard work lately. OK, I only watched as my tree was cut down, but it seemed like a tough job. And I put a pond in Monday. It's only a 30-gallon pond, but it quite a bit of time to work on it. I had to remove about 50 daffodils, move about 20 or so rocks, tear up a bunch of creeping Charlie and dandelions, dig a hole, and plant a bunch of flowers. I am still sore. I still have some dirt under my nails (I refuse to wear gardening gloves, I love digging in the dirt and actually feeling it in my hands. Have I mentioned that I am an earth sign?)

And here is what it looks like:

I really need to get a new camera that will take better pics. It was also dusk when I took the picture, and the house was between me and the setting sun. I chose rocks to put around it that had interesting shapes so they would form some fun little hiding places for the wild critters that hang out in my yard. The large rock in the back is going to be an altar/place-to-leave-offerings. I still need to put in a border and maybe some mulch.

I have so much work left to do on the yard, front and back. It is my goal to have flowers from early spring to late fall. Right now, I have the daffodils, day lilies, tulips, a rhododendron, a star magnolia, an apple tree, hostas, peonies, salvia, I think some kind of delphinium, and a bunch of other things that I don't know the name of. Maybe I'll take pictures of the stuff I can't identify and post them here. Maybe someone out in the ether can help me!

OK, that's all for now. I will be posting again later this week. I need to get some pictures for the new contest my SP10 hostessing is having.

TTFN!

I hate titles

2007-04-25T13:51:00.000-05:00

I can only rarely think of an appropriate title for posts. And my brain isn't really working properly today.

I haven't posted in a while. I've been busy with work and a little bit of social life. I'm still a bit sick. My sinuses are protesting the weather change. It's now moved down in my lungs.

On top of it all, I've been scrambling to get enough continuing education hours to keep my critical care certification. I just realized today that I probably have more than enough, I just wasn't figuring some hours that I thought didn't count.

I went up to Chicago on Saturday. The overall details are posted on my other blog. I was exhausted, happy, and sore. I also got to touch some very soft wool yarn, some alpaca yarn, and some fluffy, unspun angora. The owner of the farm/retreat/yarn-heaven was spinning on a small wheel. I would have liked to get a real demonstration, but it was crowded and she was busy with other people. I did get a very nice card to send to my secret pal. I'm going to send it out tomorrow along with the stitch markers I have made.

I'm still working on the tote-from-hell. I've also made a couple more dishcloths. And I'm planning on some patterns for totes. And I have a very special idea for a crocheted bag. I'll reveal more when I have a chance to figure out how to work it.

OK, I need to pay bills. And I have a meeting for the Witches' Ball tonight.

I leave you all with this:

You scored as Traveling Matt Fraggle. You left everything you knew in Fraggle Rock to begin the exploration of the last great frontier of Fraggledom â€“ Outer Space. You send postcards back to your nephew in the Rock from time to time to impart your wisdom to him in hopes that the brave service to all Fragglekind will be beneficial to those who need it. You're not sure that you want to come back home because the world of the Silly Creatures is very interesting, but your homesickness shows through in almost every postcard you write.

Boober Fraggle

100%

Traveling Matt Fraggle

100%

Red Fraggle

83%

Gobo Fraggle

83%

Wembley Fraggle

83%

Sprocket

67%

Doozer

50%

Madame Trash Heap

50%

Mokey Fraggle

17%

Junior Gorg

17%

Which Fraggle Rock character are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

A little help, please

2007-04-13T21:22:00.000-05:00

Maybe some of you who read my blog can give me a hand. I'm working on those totally awesome washcloths that I want to sell on Etsy. I have 5. I'm waiting until I have 10 cloths and maybe 3 or 4 bags before setting up shop.

Here's where I need the help. I have no idea how much to charge for any of this. I have looked for similar items on Etsy, and the prices are kind of all over the place. Anywhere from $3-$7 for the cloths. I can't remember what I saw for the bags. A couple of the bags were made from recycled grocery bags, but nothing was made of organic or recycled yarns.

The recycled yarn (recycled from the textile industry) that I bought costs me $8 for a 100 gram skein. I made three dishcloths out of it, and had a little yarn left (not enough for I full dishcloth, though). Playing with my patterns, I probably could get 4 cloths out of it, though. The organic yarn cost $8 for 50 grams. I have found a different (and cheaper) supplier for it, though. I still have not worked on reclaiming my own yarn from thrift shop sweaters, so I don't know the cost ratio for that, yet.

I don't want to overprice anything so that people won't want to buy them, but I also don't want to under-price and lose money. I am also very aware that people are sometimes less likely to buy a cheaper item, believing (at least subconsciously) that it has less overall value.

So, that is my conundrum. Thoughts?

Stuff!

2007-04-10T13:40:00.000-05:00

Got an really big envelope in the mail yesterday! Filled with cool stuff from my Secret Pal Luckdragon Smee. Luckdragon is a kitty who is taking care of the Secret Pal 10 stuff because her (I think it's a her) meowmie is an awfully busy woman!

So, what did I get? Bumper stickers!!! And we all know how much I love bumper stickers. I don't believe that you should see any metal on the back of a vehicle.

Here are the stickers I now have:

And I got a very cute card:

Made me giggle. Thank you, Luckdragon Smee. And thank your meowmie for going and buying the stuff.

I've made a couple more dishcloths. These were made from recycled cotton from Earth Friendly Yarns:

The Granny Square one is a little smaller than the ones I normally make. I am very happy with the waffle-stitch one, though. It worked up pretty quickly once I got the hang of it. And it's very soft and squishy. I have enough yarn to make one more dishcloth out of this skein, and I can probably make another 2 out of the organic cotton that I bought.

I've also bought some sweaters made of cotton yarn at the dollar store. I'm going to try and frog them and see if I can reuse the yarn. I'll let you all know how it works out.

OK, I have housework to do and I need to go grocery shopping. Later, everyone!

More ways to support my habit

2007-04-09T10:34:00.000-05:00

It's bad enough that the SP10 blog lists all sorts of yarn-pushers, but I have to stumble upon them on my own as well. I'm in love with an online store. OK, I'm in love with their prices. We'll see how much I love their yarn.

I am probably going to buy some lace-weight yarn for my pal, and possibly a pattern for her as well. I have to wait until payday before I make any big decisions.

Also, I now have internet access at work. So, all of you bloggers have to post more often. I have 24 hours to fill. :-) I guess I could fill that time crocheting or learning more about the knitting process. Especially since the wifi runs like dial-up on my computer.

OK, I'm still feeling like crap. I really think it's this weather. I'm going to take a nap. Later!

Feeling a little better

2007-04-06T22:45:00.000-05:00

Not a whole lot, though. Still have an ear infection. My doctor prescribed another course of antibiotics for it. I'm not sure how I feel about that. It is my theory that if one course of strong antibiotics doesn't kill something, it's probably not bacterial. I think I'm going to go to an Ears, Nose, and Throat specialist. I have now been sick for 10 days.

I haven't taken the pictures that I have promised. Maybe I'll take them tomorrow. I have some new yarn that I got from Earth-Friendly yarns. Yummy yarn. Actually, not terribly yummy. At least, Greg says it's not. And he actually tasted it. I don't know why. He's like that sometimes.

I also made a very cute little dishcloth while at work yesterday. I'm trying some different patterns for my Etsy idea. I really like it. Here's what it looks like in my scanner:

It's kind of on the big size, but that's how I like my dishcloths. I really like the way the colors pooled in the center. I want to do some light blocking on it to even it out, but otherwise I am pretty darned pleased.

I'm supposed to be posting pics of my favorite FO for a little contest by my SP10 hostess. I can't decide what to post. I have finished a couple of pieces that were a little more complicated than I thought they would be, and I was always so happy that I was able to figure it out. I have to say, given my habit of starting a gazillion projects (and then putting them away to be lost in the Nevernever), I am extremely happy with anything that I actually finish! :-)

If I absolutely had to pick just one, though, it would have to be this:

Isn't she gorgeous? Those who know me, or who have been around my blog for a while, will recognize my niece, affectionately referred to as Lupa. I made this sweater for her at the end of last year, and she looks adorable in it (IMNSHO). I was not only proud of myself for actually finishing the it, but managing to finish it with the screwed up instructions I had for the pattern. It was one of those cheap magazine-like booklets you find by the checkout at the grocery store. The sweaters looked cute, claimed to be simple, and the patterns were chock-full of errors. By the time I got around to finish it, I was sort of making it up as I went along. Quite an achievement for me. I like directions. Nice, simple, step-by-step directions. I did not have that with this sweater. But it was worth it. She refused to take it off all day. We nearly pulled it off so she wouldn't get it dirty during dinner, but she immediately put it back on once she was done. :-)

Okey-dokey. I am a very tired hooker, and must be off to bed! ;-) Sweet dreams everyone!

An idea...

2007-04-01T09:56:00.000-05:00

I'm thinking of making my own Etsy shop. Not because I'm a joiner and everyone else seems to have one. Well, not only. :-)

There are all sorts of knitters and crocheters on there that make dishcloths and totes. I wouldn't want to be just another one of dozens. Mine would have a different angle. I would make them from organic and recycled fibers. Market them as eco-friendly. Try to sell them to the hippy-Pagan population.

This is actually something that I care deeply about. I make my own dishcloths and I have a few grocery bags that I have made. I think I might even try to make some with some Pagan and hippy symbols incorporated. Maybe a pentacle potholder. Grocery bag with a peace symbol. OK, now I'm getting complicated and ahead of myself.

I'm still sick. It's the hubby's birthday. I feel bad because I don't want to do anything more involved than sit on the couch. I'm actually getting tired from sitting here at the computer. I think I'm going to go take a bath, see if I feel any better. If not, I'll stay home and feel like crap. If I do, maybe I could at least get the energy to go out for lunch with Greg.

Later!

A quick note...

2007-03-31T13:49:00.000-05:00

... on my way to bed.

Haven't worked on anything. A few rows on the tote-from-hell. Won't be done by Greg's birthday, which is tomorrow.

I have a severe ear infection. I feel like crap, and need to get some sleep. I will have some exciting pictures this week, though. I hope.

Later.

Knitting Witch

2007-03-25T09:18:00.000-05:00

It's rare when two of my favorite obsessions come together. For a brief moment, I can see the hidden patterns in the world. Everything makes sense, and suddenly I'm not as freaky as I previously believed.

OK, that's actually a little too deep for what I'm posting. Two Lumps (see side bar) has a rather amusing strip today. Check it out here!

Drop-Spindle Woes

2007-03-23T20:30:00.000-05:00

I have a drop-spindle. It was an anniversary present nearly 2 years ago. From time to time I take it out and see if I can figure the blasted thing out. I can't. I am usually able to figure things out simply by reading the directions, but for some reason I can't master the art of spinning. All I get is a length of twisted fiber that in no way resembles yarn. Especially after it untwists itself.

I was looking for a good video of it, and I could only find someone using a bottom whorl spindle. Mine, of course, is a top whorl. So it doesn't quite look the same.

Kris's mother has offered to show me how to use it. I just need to call her up and figure out when the hell I have time to go out to Crown Point and have her show me. There really ought to be more hours in the day or days in the week. I'd only find a way to fill those with nonsense as well.

OK, I need to watch some TV and maybe work a bit on the blasted tote. Have a wonderful weekend!

Yeah... it's PICTURES!

2007-03-22T21:31:00.000-05:00

Just what you all have been waiting for: PICTURES! There's a bunch, so make a pot of coffee while you have the time!

Back so soon? OK, here we go:

Here is the Kitty Hat that the delightful Suzanne made just for me!

Ignore the dishes in the background. :-) The picture isn't the best quality because I had to use my cell phone to get it. It's the only way I could get a pic of myself. I love the hat, though. It almost makes me a little sad that winter is on its way out. Almost.

And here is the famous Jayne Cobb hat! Just like the one from Firefly!

I'm modeling it because Greg is sleeping. That's why it looks a little big. It fits him perfectly.

And here is a little bit of what I have been up to:

This is a cell phone cozy that I made for one of my coworkers. It is hideous. This picture was also taken with a cell phone, so the colors aren't that great. The true color is this terrible pink with sparkly yarn. The color of a Tab can. I made this up as I went along. Has a belt loop. Needs a bigger button on the front.

For some reason it is a hit among a couple of my coworkers. It started with a cell phone "sock" I made for one of my partners. Then Stacey (the one modeling the snazzier version above) wanted one. She has lost or broken 3 $200+ cell phones in the last year. Her fiance asked if I could make something that would keep her from losing this one. So I came up with the Phone Cozy 2.0. Now the partner who got the sock wants a new one. Thankfully, they are easy to make and the yarn was free!

And here is my knitting progress:

It's going to be a scarf. A rather wiggly scarf. Greg keeps trying to make me feel better and tell me that it's pretty strait for a first time knitter. It's all knit... garter stitch. Just trying to practice, get the hang of this knitting thing.

Here is the yarn I bought for my Secret Pal spoilee:

It's a homespun, hand-dyed yarn I got on Etsy. My spoilee says she likes flame colors. This yarn reminds me of the campfires we have at the annual NIPA campout. Especially after we toss a "firestick" or two in.

I also sent her some Bert's Bees hand lotion and some Lindor Chocolate Truffles.

K.C. doesn't get her picture in here very often... for good reason. She doesn't like having her picture taken. See how she is trying to destroy my camera with her laser-beam death-ray eyes?

She doesn't want me embarassing her by making jokes about how fat cats do not belong in small shoe boxes. She loves to squeeze herself into the box and sleep there.

And here is Zorro, showing the world the cuteness of a fat cat belly.

He is trying to mimic his daddy, being lazy, lounging on the couch. I think he has the remote hidden under one of the cushions.

OK, that's all I have. I was going to take a picture of the demon-tote-WIP, but there's not much more to report. I've started working on it again, but I haven't gotten too far. I'm going to try to get a bunch done on it this weekend.

G'nite, everyone!

A New Look

2007-03-22T16:07:00.000-05:00

I've made a few changes and additions to my Pagan Hooker blog. What do you all think? I'm still looking for a way to make or add WIP progress bars to the side, but I can't figure out how or where to find them.

I'm going to try to add some pictures later today. But I need to get some food first and maybe a nap. Later!

SP10 blog post contest

2007-03-20T23:25:00.000-05:00

As some of you may have guessed, I am participating in SP10. My wonderful hostess Robyn has worked her butt off getting matches made and the super-duper humongous participant list together. And now she has made a little request of her participants. In order to make sure we post about yarn-related topics and get our 4 posts a month, she has asked us to post about our favorite knitting accessory. There is a prize for a random blogger who complies with her request. Since Robyn is working so hard, I feel that this is the least that I can do!

Since I have only been knitting for a couple of weeks, I can't say there is anything I really like associated with knitting. I do like my bamboo needles. They make a cool clicking noise when I knit.

But, so far, the best investment I have made is my yarn tote. I bought it on sale at Joann's, and have endure much teasing as I drag it behind me into work, but I absolutely love it. It has enough space in it to fit a ton of yarn (at least 2 projects worth), a spot for all my hooks and needles. Little pockets to hold stitch markers and sewing needles and measuring tape. Plus I usually have enough room for a couple of pattern books and a movie or two to pop in the DVD player at work so I can watch something while I crochet. Heaven forbid I actually work while I am getting paid! :-) The wheeled tote is a million times better than the plethora of WIP totes I have lying all over the place!

It is late and I must sleep. Come back Thursday evening. I am hoping to have a much more exciting post! If I don't, I'll at least have a very good excuse!

Happy Hat Day!

2007-03-13T14:34:00.000-05:00

I really need to get the whole photo thing working on this darned computer. I have so many photos to share and no way to post them here. Grrrr...

Sunday, I met with a couple of friends in our own version of a Stitch and Bitch. Not an officially sanctioned meeting, just a few of us getting together for coffee and kvetching and working with yarn. It was fun. Time flew by faster than I could imagine. Unfortunately, the knitting I was doing did not fly so well. In the two and a half hours, I maybe was able to complete 10 rows, which added up to a couple of inches. If I was crocheting, this scarf thing would be done. It's just 30 stitches across on size 10 needles (I think), worked in garter stitch. I might finish it before I die.

I received a present from Suz in the mail. She made a Jayne Cobb hat for my hubby, which I knew about. The big surprise was the lovely kitty hat she made for me! Thank you so much. I will wear it this weekend when our glorious spring weather turns back to winter for a few days. I promise... there will be pictures.... eventually!

OK, going out to dinner soon with my family. I will post more later!

Secret Pal 10 Questionnaire

2007-03-08T10:38:00.000-06:00

I had so much fun with Secret Pal 9, I decided to do it again. So... here's this round's questionnaire:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I like natural fibers (don't we all) with a special love for alpaca. I like to look at novelty yarns, but they are such a pain in the arse to work with.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have this yarn tote that I take to work. My New Year's Resolution was to organize all my supplies. I have the tools, just haven't gotten around to actually doing it.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been crocheting for over 6 years. I taught myself from a book, although I recently learned I've been doing everything wrong. :-P I would consider myself an intermediate crocheter.

I have been knitting for about 20 hours at the time of this post. :-)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes, I finally broke down and made a wish list at Amazon. There's a button over on the right side of this blog.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I love sandalwood. I also like light floral scents and citrus scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I have a major sweet tooth. I love chocolate, in nearly every form.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I want to learn to spin. I have a drop spindle. I want to learn to weave. But, I do not do any other crafts. I'm actually very untalented.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like all types of music. I really love small indie bands. My favorite bands are the Beatles and Aqualung. I also listen to classical, opera, trance/electronica, bluegrass.... umm, everything. My computer and my stereo both play mp3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I love color in general. My favorite color is pink, in every gaudy shade it can come in. I also like green, blue, black, and white. There really isn't a color that I don't like. I don't wear or use yellow or orange much, but I still like them.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I'm married. My husband is an occasional knitter. We have three cats, and are thinking very hard about adding a kid to the mix.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

This winter I have come to love crocheting hats. It's quick, small enough to keep in my purse, and everyone seems to love homemade hats.

13. What are you knitting right now?

I'm working on the Goddess-forsaken-tote-bag-from-Hades for my hubby. I also have to make another skully potholder for a friend. And I am working on an afghan for my dad, and somewhere I have a sweater that I started for one of my nephews. Ummm... not much.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Of course!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I don't have a preference for needles yet, although I am teaching myself on bamboo. I use aluminum hooks to crochet, I don't care much for plastic (except when I am using the jumbo Q and S hooks!). I want to get more bamboo hooks. I only have a bamboo G hook, whick I received from my SP9 pal!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I wish....

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Well, I've been crocheting for over 6 years, so... ummm... 6 years?

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween/Samhain. And Festivus. :-)

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Children's books. Actually, books in general. Mirrors in interesting frames. Dust bunnies. My clothes collect cat fur.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I would like Stitch and Bitch Nation (might as well complete the set!). I love all yarn, so it's hard to say that I would like a specific type. I would like to try some of the soy yarn. I am looking for a crocheted pattern for a christening gown that would allow me to incorporate various symbols into the skirt portion. I think that I'm going to have to design my own, though.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Knitting

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Nope, but my husband is. Well, he's made one pair of socks. I would like to learn as soon as I figure out this knitting thing in general. I wear a size 9 shoe.

23. When is your birthday?

May 11th!

I can't wait to start! I can't wait to get my match! I already have some wonderful ideas for gifts!!

Adventures in Knitting

2007-03-07T14:52:00.000-06:00

So, as part of my break from the now-hated zombie tote, I decided to try the knitting thing. I am mostly teaching myself drom the SNB book, with some "helpful hints" from Greg. I prefer to try a gazillion times and fail before asking for help. He wants to share his knowledge with the world. Can you tell which of us was a science major and which was a secondary education major? LOL

I already know two things. One... I am pretty sure that I like crocheting more. Two... I'm a "left-handed" knitter. I think that the reason I knit "left-handed", or Continental, is because I crochet. I tried the other method that involves holding the yarn in your right hand and all that jazz. I ended up with a tangle of yarn that wouldn't stay on the needle or worked hard to be a knot (would that be a-frayed-knot? Sorry...).

Holding the yarn and the needle with the yarn on it with my left hand and moving the empty needle with my right hand is closer to crochet. It feels more natural, and I might even be able to produce something that looks knitted.

So far, I suck. I know how to cast on. My tension isn't so great, and the yarn keeps falling off the needles. And I cast on too tightly, but I knew I would do that. I have a tendency to chain too tightly as well. Right now, I am casting on using two needles and removing one when I am ready to practice.

I'm not sure this knitting thing will ever replace my love for crochet. After over 6 years, my favorite part now is being able to watch TV while I crochet, not having to pay too much attention to what my hands are doing. Unless it's a fricking tote bag for Greg... grrrrrr....

ETA: Purling sucks... and my hand is crampy.

A Sad, Sad Day

2007-03-05T23:21:00.000-06:00

I should be sleeping right now. I'm pretty tired and have to work in the morning (and I worked some OT today). But I have some terrible news to share.

I've been working on this tote for Greg for some time now. Actually, it feels as if I have been working on this tote my entire life. And right now is the boring part. Jsut rows and rows of half-double crochet stitches... mainly in black.

Well, the first thing to disappoint me was that I ran out of black yarn. I thought I would have enough, but I didn't. So, I went and bought some more, but since I bought the original so many months ago, the new skeins are a different dye lot. And you can tell. I'm hoping after I felt it it won't be too noticeable.

Then, I noticed that the bag was starting to look a little wonky. It didn't match up, one side seemed shorter than the other. Now, I am making the front, bottom, and back in one piece. I'm using the same hook, and mostly the same tension. The back cannot be shorter than the front, right? Wrong. Apparently, I have dropped a few stitches. How many, you may be wondering. Ten. Yup... somehow I managed to lose ten stitches somewhere in the last 100 or so rows. I can't even figure out where I lost them. So I frogged about 10 inches of my work, regained 2 stitches, and have decided that I am just going to add the stitches back in over the next few rows. Again, I am hoping when it is all stitched up and felted, you won't be able to notice. Grrrr.... I am so aggravated.

I think I might work on something else tomorrow. This would break my vow to finish this before working on anything else, but I am so pissed... I need a little instant gratification.

Aqualung

2007-03-04T10:23:00.000-06:00

Just because I am obsessed and want others to join the obsession:

Blessing gown ideas

2007-02-26T13:44:00.000-06:00

I have an idea for the baby blessing gown, and I would like some feedback from those who know more about pattern-making than I do.

I'm thinking of making a onesie, and then making a detachable filet skirt. Both would be made out of cotton (8? 10?), probably in green. I'm pretty sure that I can make a trapezoid-shaped skirt that I could attach to the onesie with small buttons. Near the edge, I would incorporate a pattern created from a series of runes that Kris made out for me. In the rest of the skirt, I can insert pentacles, crosses, or moon symbols.

Then, after the blessing itself, the not-very-practical skirt can be removed for whatever festivities follow. Whether we conceive or adopt, we plan on having a rather ceremonious baby blessing/naming.

It seems that I am more concerned with the end-results of expanding the family, rather than the matter of how we are planning on doing it. But, I believe in sympathetic magic and magical thinking. Work the magic and get in the mindset that what you wish will happen. I am taking care of the mundane aspects. Seeing my doctor and enlisting his advice, putting money into the savings account, working on a functional budget, trying to get our house in order. But, I need to do the spiritual, religious stuff as well. And this gown is part of that.

OK... I need to do some other crochet stuff. I'm STILL working on that frickin' tote for Greg. My newest goal is to have it done for his birthday!

A tad distracted

2007-02-23T18:31:00.000-06:00

I keep meaning to update you all on my crocheting adventures, but I've been a little scatter-brained. My dad's most recent doctor's appointment shows that the cancer might be growing again. The mass in his lung looks like it might have grown (or it may be scar tissue) and he has smaller "nodules" throughout the same lung.

So he's back on chemo, and the doctors say that it's mainly to maintain his quality of life. Radiation and surgery are not options. When the chemo starts to make him too sick, he'll come off. If it starts to grow again, he might not go back on.

I had to go today to plan for his cremation. He and my mother are not married, so I am his next of kin. He can't afford the funeral expenses, so I told him that Greg and I would handle it. Since he lost his job, he has lost his benefits and his life insurance.

I'm going to try to start posting more regularly. I'm still looking for a good "Christening" gown pattern that is appropriate for a boy or girl and can be adapted to incorporate a few symbols of both Greg's and my faith. If anyone has some ideas, please let me know!

I need to get going, have to work the back half of a shift tonight. Too tired... grrrr...

I guess I lied a bit...

2007-02-12T16:24:00.000-06:00

Apparently, I won't be off-line for too long. In fact, I am on right now. And not on the Goddess-forsaken laptop which I loathe. Greg put the computer back together with its old part while we wait to find out what is wrong with the new parts. I don't have all my programs on here, and don't feel like putting them all back if I'm going to have to do it again in a week or so. So... no pics for a while.

Which is a shame, because I got my final package from my secret pal... who is still a secret! But, she sent me some very nice Ostara-colored yarn, some good-smelly body scrub and mask, and a sachet that smells like vanilla. And an awesome crochet hook. It's a wooden one with a lathe-turned handle. Very, very pretty. Will get pics as soon as I can.

My postman is going to have a rough week. I have ordered many things online over the last week or so, and all of it should come this week. I've got my order from Eddie Bauer today (a jacket for Greg and a sweater and cardigan for me). I'm expecting some books from Amazon, tickets to a concert (my Valentine present to Greg), and some oils from Magickal Realism (everyone should go there and order stuff. It is smelly and good! And natural. And made by Kris's sister!) Actually, the oils will probably come in a week or so.

For now, I must go and cook dinner and do some cleaning I promised myself I would do today. Grr... hate cleaning. Hat, hate, hate!

Later, all!

And the winner is...

2007-02-11T14:59:00.000-06:00

ME! Yeah! I won the chili cook-off! I get my name on the Chili Cook-Off plaque in our parish hall. Mine was the spiciest chili there. I didn't think it was that hot, but apparently it more so than the others. Of course, voting is done by placing money in the jar of the chili you like, and cheating is encouraged. So I put $20 in mine. ;-)

I'm still working on remembering what I put in it, so I can put it online. So, until then... keep warm!

No innerwebz for me

2007-02-09T15:31:00.000-06:00

My husband broke our computer. He claims he was "upgrading", but the result is no computer. We have a laptop, but it doesn't seem to like being hooked up to the cable modem, so I am limited to internet acccess. Right now, I am sitting in Panera Bread, using their free online. After paying what I did for the soup, sandwich, and mocha... I'm not sure how "free" it is.

So, I won't be getting on very much until the home computer is fixed. T his is very difficult for me. I am usually online nearly every day, even if it's just for a minute or two to check my mail. I have 2 blogs that I post fairly frequently to, and 4 email accounts. Plus, tons of friends that don't live close enough for me to see on a regular basis. How else am I supposed to see how they are doing?

In other news, my package arrived in Germany. My pal seems pretty happy with the gifts. Her kitties seem very, very happy with the toys. I signed up for SP10. I'm hoping to actually knit something for my next pal. We will see.

Also, I got my new washer and dryer today. It's not the Kenmore. It's a really nice Maytag set. And I had to get white. Because they had the floor models for a couple of hundred bucks cheaper and could deliver today. Which meant one less trip to the laundromat for me. But I'm ectstatic. There is supposed to be drumming tonight, but I might just stay home and do laundry.

Finally, I am entering our church's chili cook-off (which is Sunday, for those who are close enough to stop by). I've already made the chili, and the hubby says it's the best I've ever made. Just hot enough to be spicy, enough flavor to be yummy. I have a tad more tinkering to do with it (I think it needs more meat, hubby says he thinks it needs more tomatoes), but I am letting it sit in the fridge for a couple of days to make it taste better. I will be posting the recipe (as soon as I remember all of it) later on, whether I win or not. I'm calling it Brigid's Sacred Imbolc Chili. I figure, it's red,(an Imbolc color) it's hot (and Brigid was the keeper of the sacred flame, if I remember correctly, as well as patron of smithies), the ingredients I have put into it are in threes (including red, white, and black beans), and it will be served with sour cream (dairy for Imbolc). And it has Guinness in it. Which is Irish.

So, wish me tons of luck at the cook-off. It's not a fair competition, and there is lots of cheating... but, it's fun nonetheless.

Take care, all. See ya when I see ya!

Not safe for work!

2007-02-03T17:04:00.000-06:00

Yeah! The Anticraft has updated! WOOT! And, as usual, there are very cool, but strange things to make. Like this! I might make one. I might make many and give them as gifts. Hehehe...

Actually, it could be useful for my altar on Beltaine. LOL....

SP9

2007-01-27T15:33:00.000-06:00

I'm a little worried that my secret pal has forgotten about me. I was late responding to a couple of emails she sent me last month. I did respond eventually, and I haven't heard from her at all since the beginning of January.

So... Secret Pal: If you are out there and trying to contact me via email, please comment on my blog. I'll try to figure out if there's something wrong with the email.

PICTURES!!!!

2007-01-25T18:42:00.000-06:00

Yeah!!! A humongous post filled with lots and lots of pictures. For my deprived friends who are still suffering from dial-up, my condolences. Go fix yourself a cup of tea, bake some cookies, take a nap. I'll still be here. Probably still loading.

Back? OK... now on with the post.

I finally got around to getting batteries in my camera. I also finally got around to having some time off work. Both of these events occurred AT THE SAME TIME!!! I've been working mucho overtime, and haven't been getting much sleep the days that I work. It's been nuts. I have had to come home and sleep for about 4-6 hours every morning that I have come home. Hence, nothing gets done around here.

Why have I been working such crazy hours? Well, we are short-staffed. And, my dryer died. Not broken. Broken can be fixed. Technically, so could my dryer, but the guy from the appliance-fixing place says it won't do any good. It's 40-years-old and the motor is gone. So, we are taking the buy-out from the home-warranty (a measly $120). We are going to buy a new dryer. And hopefully a new washer. Might as well be a matched set. This is the one that I want. In red. Maybe blue. This is what gets me through the long hours at work. This is what keeps me awake at 4 in the morning while driving back from Chicago. I'm pathetic.

OK, so on to the more interesting stuff. You didn't wait all this time for these pictures to load so I could talk about how much I want a new washer, right? Right! (NOTE: I was going to divide this into a couple of separate posts so you aren't stuck reading for ages on end. But who knows when I will have the time or the inclination to actually get all this blogging done. So, you're stuck with the whole kit and caboodle... it's at the end.)

So, for Christmas/Yule, my parents got me a gift card for JoAnn's. I think I was supposed to use it to buy the swift that I have been wanting for oh-so-very-long. However, there are a lot of things in this world that I want, especially when I have a gift card and a 50%-off-one-item coupon. I did not get the swift. Instead I got these:

Yes, those are knitting needles. Clover bamboo needles in a variety of sizes. I figured they would be good to learn on. And if I don't like knitting, I'm pretty sure that Greg will be more than happy to take them off my hands. He was practically drooling over them. Not the ugly tapestry holder they came in. Definitely need to replace that. Got any ideas, Ms. Molly? :-)

I also bought a pattern for a Christening gown that I am going to look at modifying. Unfortunately, they did not put the pattern in any sort of graphic form, so I don't know how to change the filet crochet bits from hearts and roses to pentacles and runes. But it looks fairly straitforward, so it gives me something to start with.

And, I got an S hook. "S" is for speedy! :-) This thing is frickin' huge. I have absolutely no idea what I am going to make with it, but I had to have it anyway. Apparently, I can make a scarf in an hour with this thing. How cool is that? Never have to worry about last-minute gifts again!

Speaking of gifts... I have pictures of many of the presents that I made during my "down-time" at the end of last year. The first picture is stuff I made for Kris and Kid. The Pixie slippers I made by modifying this pattern. I'm not happy with the bells. I tried a gazillion times to get them in the center of the toe. But, for some reason, they didn't want to be there. The scarf came from my most favoritest crochet book. I used some of the alpaca I got from my SP9 pal. It was very soft and cuddly. I almost didn't want to give it away. I have enought left over to make another scarf, though. :-)

This is DEB! Half of Deb-and-Suzanne. She's the half that isn't addicted to yarn. And she is wearing the now-infamous cammo-hat. I think she looks adorable... kind of like she's hunting stuffed bunnies. What a sport!

Here is one potholder I have made for my friend Jen. Notice that you cannot click on her name. This is because she doesn't blog. She doesn't even have inner-webz. She is living in the dark ages. But she will be so very fashionable and hip if I ever get around to making the second potholder and gifting it to her.

And these are generic hats and a scarf I have made for my brother and sister-in-law. One of these days I will get around to making the scarf for my brother. I have too many other things to worry about right now. Of course, I could use my new S-hook and have one done in an hour...hmmmm....

Next, we have Morganna modeling a shawl I made for my mother. She recently went on a cruise and wanted me to make her a shawl that she could wear with a black dress. Well, the pattern that she picked was a pain-in-the-arse, and I had way too much trouble with it. Instead, she got a very larg half-granny-square made from the recycled sari yarn I bought on Ebay ages ago. See! I'm using some of this stash that I thought I would never use!

Now we have come to the stuff I am sending to my secret pal in Germany. Because of my end-of-the-year drama, I didn't get a package sent to her in December. So, I am sending oodles of stuff out tomorrow. The picture shows the Pixie slippers I made her, along with 3 little cat toys (with catnip inside!) I made for her kitties.

The cat toys were a challenge. Not only did I have to figure out the pattern for a ball on my own, but I had to keep them away from my beasts. The first one that I made disappeared from my yarn tote in the middle of the night. I have since seen it in odd places, like under the bed, in-between couch cushions, near the food bowl. I figure they deserve to get the first toy their meowmie makes.

Here's most of the rest of the goodies (I'm also baking some homemade corn meal cookies):

The jar-thing that looks like a sugar server is a soy candle that smells like cinnamon buns... or some such baked good. In all honesty, all candles that smell like cookies or cakes or what-have-you smell the same to me. They smell like sugar, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon. Every one of them.

Here's a close-up of the yarn that's heading to Germany:

The pink Cherry Hill sock yarn is so soft and silky. Makes me wish I was making socks! The red, white, and bluse yarn is self-striping sock yarn that Greg had used to make me socks. I figured it would be something different that she wouldn't get in Germany. And it makes very pretty sock, too. See for yourself:

Those are the socks that Greg made for me for Yule. They are great. Warm and colorful, and I got so many compliments from people who saw them. Not bad for his first pair of sock, no?

And here is the last yarn-related picture, my yarn-tote WIP:

It looks huge, but it's going to be felted, so it will shrink. Hopefully. I have just a couple more rows of the heart left, then it's pretty much half-double crochets. 30 more for the front. I'm thinking maybe 5-8 for the bottom. Then a gazillion for the back. I'm making pocketed sides for holding needles and assorted tools. And a couple of straps. I might finish it before the end of February. My goal is Valentine's Day. I think it would be a nice gift... you know, with the heart and everything.

And because he insisted:

This is Zorro cuddling with his pretend girlfriend. It's a microfiber stuffed kitty that vibrates. My mother bought it for me thinking I could use it on my lower back. Zorro confiscated it.

I actually do have another cat. KC just never holds still long enough to have her picture taken. So Morganna and Zorro get all the online love.

And finally... for the couple of you out there who don't know what I look like... or those of you who have never seen me dressed up:

Occasionally, I do get out of jeans and t-shirts and spend the few minutes to do my make-up. This is me at my company's holiday party. Many people didn't recognize me out of my sexy uniform. I even had a few people tell me I looked cute. I was cheesing most of the night from it!

OK... all done. get up, move around. Get some circulation flowing back into your ass. I'll try to get some more posted early next week. I'm not sure what I will post, but I'm sure it will be interesting!

Ummmm.... yeah

2007-01-18T22:03:00.000-06:00

So I never got around to posting the pics I have promised for so long. My batteries in my camera are dead and we haven't had the money to replace them. Yes, I know that batteries aren't that expensive, but I missed almost three weeks of work. It's on my mega-grocery list for tomorrow, so I will try to get them posted tomorrow night before I fall asleep.

I'm also going to take pictures of my current WIP. The yarn tote for Greg. I am so proud of myself for the way it is turning out. I'm almost finished with the lettering... then it will be a million rows of half-double crochets, a couple of straps, 2 sides, and some sewing. I'm almost done! :-)

I will also have some pics of some items I recently bought from JoAnn's with my Christmas gift card. I am very excited. One of my three readers has a clue as to what it is, but I'm keeping it a secret from all the rest of you. All two of you. :-)

OK, I need some sleep, and my carpal tunnel is flaring up. Take care!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-04T23:14:00.000-06:00

OK... it's a few days into the new year. I've been busy.

I am waiting to post pictures because I need to get pics from the people I gifted the FOs to. Bad, bad hooker. Didn't take before pictures. Coming soon. I promise!

Right now I am working on a very ambitious project. I am making a project tote for the hubby, using this in the pattern. I've already frogged it a half dozen times. I might finish it in the coming year.

I also finally bought Stitch & Bitch. I'm thinking about learning to knit. It makes me feel like a lemming. I'm going to finish a couple of projects that are in the works before attempting a new hobby, though.

And finally, I thought I would share my new year's resolution. I've only made one. I plan on getting my stash organized this year. I'm honestly not even sure how much yarn I have or what kinds. It's getting out of control. KMart has a sale one plastic storage drawers. I'm getting a few this weekend and will start the organization process this weekend (or next).

OK... I have to get to bed. Later, everyone!

Musical interlude

2006-12-29T10:47:00.000-06:00

I want the Love CD. Mmmm.... Beatles and trippiness. What more could a hippy-wanna-be want?

A Yule surprise

2006-12-24T13:06:00.000-06:00

My holiday season became a gazillion times brighter last night. I was at church getting ready for the ritual when I glanced to see who had just walked in the door. I saw a very recognizable back of a certain someone's head and let out a squeal of delight (or so I was told!). My dear, dear friends Deb and Suzanne had come from Maryland for the holidays! What a wonderful surprise. I'm not even mad at a certain someone who knew and didn't say anything (although I sense she wanted to based on our last YIM conversation!).

I should have guessed something was up. Not only from Ms. Gemini's most recent post, but also from the conversation we had Friday evening. I had called to ask her opinion on buttons for a hat I was making for Deb. She said I just caught them, they were on their way out to grab a bite to eat, then they were going for a ride. I asked where they were going, but Suz wouldn't give me any answer. I didn't think to much of it, because driving around the countryside is a favorite passtime of theirs. After I got off the phone, I did think for a moment that it was a little late to be going out for a drive, but maybe they were looking at Christmas lights or something. :-D I'm just very happy right now.

In other news, I have a pair of socks. My loving hubby made me a pair of socks for Yule. They are very patriotic. I will try to get a pic of them this week. Along with all the other pics that I have promised. LOL I haven't had a chance to make his gift yet. I make make him a felted tote for his yarn supplies.

And in still other news... the second pregnancy didn't take either. I'm doing ok, I'm in pretty good spirits. Glad that the issue is finally resolved one way or the other. It's disappointing, but I hadn't really gotten my hopes up anyway. This is when being a pessimist makes life easier. :-)

Well, I have cookies to bake (not really homemade, break and bake because I am having a lazy holiday!) and slippers to crochet. We have vespers service at church tonight and I am really looking forward to it. I have missed so much church and socializing because of the pregnancy stuff, and I really miss it.

Take care, all. Have a wonderful holiday, whichever one you celebrate!

Still getting stuff done...

2006-12-15T17:44:00.000-06:00

I'm not going to go into all the gory details here, but.... I'm pregnant. Not quite still pregnant. Pregnant again. It's tough to explain, but it has to do with some peculiarities of my anatomy. I did go into details at my other blog, and I will answer those who ask in private. But, I'm a bit tired of describing the incident for now. It's all I've talked about for days, and I'm kinda bored of hearing it.

I'm not allowed on the ambulance still. I'm almost finished with my nephews sweater, but I took a break because I was getting tired of it. So I am now working on some slipper socks for my secret pal. My gauge is atrocious, and I think these socks will be knee-highs when I'm done. Hopefully they will shrink a little when I wash them. My pal did say that she had largish feet.

I will try to get some pics up some time this weekend. I volunteered to teach a CPR class so that I won't be short too many hours on this paycheck. I started light duty today, and I will continue doing office stuff until my doctor releases me. I'm trying to convince the company that it would be more cost-effective to put another person on the rig with me to do the lifting.

I hope everyone's holiday crafts are going well. Take care!

So much done

2006-12-10T15:09:00.000-06:00

Well, I have found a way to get lots of crocheting done. Spend a weekend on bedrest. So far, I have finished 2 hats and a scarf and I am almost done with another scarf.

I went into the hospital on Friday night with bleeding again. This time it was much heavier. They checked me out, did lab work and another ultrasound. Not a good prognosis. I'm not going to be able to carry the baby. They sent me home because I wasn't bleeding enough to warrant an emergency D&C. I am supposed to spend this weekend on essential bed rest, drink lots of fluids and take it very easy. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow morning to see what he wants to do.

Thanks to everyone who sent prayers and energy my way. I appreciate all the friends I have, both in online and IRL. I'm doing okay right now. A little down, but not extremely depressed.

For now, I'm returning to my spot on the couch to finish that second scarf. I'll get pictures of everything as soon as I can. I would type more right now, but I have a 20 pound cat laying across my arms as I type. He's purring, so I'm pretty sure he's comfortable. I, however, am not.

Take care, everyone!

Preggers

2006-12-04T09:27:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm still pregnant. I had to go to the hospital on Saturday because I had some bleeding. They checked me out, did an ultrasound, said everything's fine right now. THere is a small chance that my previous gynecologist might have exaggerated a bit. I might be able to carry the baby without extreme difficulty. It will still be a high-risk pregnancy, but maybe not as severe as was once thought.

I am actively looking for patterns for Blessing/Christening gowns that I can crochet. Something that's not too girly and frilly. I am creating a ritual that involves chanting/praying for a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. I figure a little magic never hurts.

I've also got an idea involving an afghan made of granny squares from the people who love me and Greg, and by default will love the baby, too. I'm still working on the specifics of that.

I have my doctor's appointment on Friday. I'm counting down the minutes. I'm still scared, nervous, anxious, you-name-it. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Men with balls (of yarn!)

2006-12-01T17:04:00.000-06:00

This rocks!

My hubby knits... not much or well (the latter I believe is directly related to the former!), but knits nonetheless. Nothing sexier than a man knitting you some toasty socks!

Memes

2006-11-29T14:40:00.000-06:00

A certain Scattered Gemini informed me of this. She knows how much I love memes. So, I am helping this kid out and posting his little project to all my blogs. I think you should to. I mean, really, what's the harm in it? I would really like to see how addictive these things are anyway.

I <3 my Secret Pal

2006-11-28T11:58:00.000-06:00

OK, here are the pics I promised! What a wonderful Secret Pal I have! What great goodies! I hope she's having fun on her vacation!

The pictures aren't that great. Lighting inside my house is terrible, and I could really use a new camera. Here ya go anyhow!

Here you have a some delicious cookies and some very yummy candies. I'm supposed to be dieting, but calories ingested from gifts from secret pals don't count, right? She also included a postcard book of Perth. Beautiful pictures. I want to visit!

I also got some smelly soap that smells wonderful, along with a bath mitt and a butterfly-shaped bath "pouf". And pumpkin candles! Aren't they cute?

And finally.... YARN! Glorious yarn! Lots of yarn. In many shapes and sizes. The ginormous balls are soft and fluffy alpaca. I have no idea what on earth I'm going to make with them. The pastel variegated is microfiber. I think I might have enough for another sweater for my niece! And the black and white is a soft, fluffy acrylic. I think I might make slippers or mittens with those. Greg was wanting some mittens.

In other news.... I'm pregnant. We are still waiting until we find out if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I have blogged about this extensively on my non-crocheting blog. Some of you might not be able to access it though, because the post is friends-only. To make a long story short (for those who do not know that story), I might not be able to carry a child to term due to some circumstances regarding my anatomy. I have a doctor's appointment on the 11th to find out what's going to happen. I'm scared and anxious and impatient and practically every other emotion that I can muster. I hate waiting. I hate suspense. I hate drama. Grrr....

OK... off to watch TV and work on a version of my felted purse just for me. I should be making gifts for others, but I'm feeling awfully selfish today! :-)

Pictures galore!

2006-11-26T21:49:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I got to spend time with my favoritest people under 4 feet... my niece and my nephews. I sat at the kids' table because I seem to get along much better with them than I do most of the adults. The conversations are far more interesting.

I have been a hat-making fool lately. I think I have finished about 6 hats in the last 3 weeks. That is a FO record for me, I believe. I have pics of most of them, but before we get to those, I have another kitty photo!

This is Zorro, the beastly kitty. It was early in the morning and he wasn't quite awake yet. He was sleeping on top of me, all 20 pounds of him! He is the sweetest cat, loves everyone and everything.

For some reason, I can never get photos to appear on here in the order that I want them to. I was going to put this next photo last, but forgot to add it first. Now it is too much of a hassle to change it around. There's a bit of a story, though. I crocheted a lovely sweater for my niece. First attempt at a sweater with actual sleaves and all. She loved it (you can see it farther along in theis post!) but was upset because she didn't get a hat. Papa Larry and both her brothers got hats, she wanted one, too. In purple. Since they were only going to be up here for the weekend, and I didn't have time to go to the store and get more yarn, she ended up with purplish blue and green. She seems to like it anyway.

Isn't she cute? She looks like a little angel, but she is a demon child. I have nicknamed her Lupa because I am convinced she is being raised by wolves. When I commented on this at Thanksgiving dinner, she started howling. :-)

This is another hat I recently finished:

This is one of my coworkers, Karla. She saw me working on the cammo baby hat with ear flaps and asked if I could make one for her. Of course I can! She was kind enough to model it in payment for my efforts.

And here is my father's new hat and scarf:

He, on the other hand, was not so happy to model it for me. :-P

This is the true love of my life... right after Greg. My nephew Alexzander. When he was 3, he told me that he was going to marry me. Every time he sees me, he runs full tilt and collides into me with the biggest bear hug a 5-year-old can manage.

He loved his hat, but says he wants a sweater. In red and blue. These kids are very demanding.

And now.... what you've all (three) been waiting for:

Lupa's sweater! She didn't want to take it off. I wouldn't let her wear it during dinner, but she wore it the rest of the night. She loved it and loved the daisy buttons and everything else about it. She is too adorable.

And last but not least:

My littlest nephew Brendan. He has a hat just like his big brother. He looks a bit shocked by all the attention. His mom's a tad camera shy.

I got my package from my secret pal! She's in Australia! I was wondering why it took so long getting here! It was filled with all sorts of cool goodies. I will try to take pics on Tuesday and get them on here. I still need to think of some cool stuff to get my pal in Germany. I'm going to make her some kitty toys, and I think I'm going to get her an ornament from the Art Institute. They sell little replicas of their lions as ornaments. They are cute and very "Chicagoan".

That's all for now. It's late, but I am not tired at all. I work tomorrow, but I think I'm going to go and crochet and watch some TV.

Later!

Lion Yarn

2006-11-17T23:01:00.000-06:00

I knew there was a reason I subscribe to the Lion Yarn newsletter. Normally I hate having "spam" flood my inbox, but today's newsletter might have made it worth it!

Because of this and this. ::giggles::

Found the camera cable

2006-11-17T14:25:00.000-06:00

I still need Greg to take a pic of me wearing my skirt. We've been busy lately, and it tends to slip my mind. I do have a couple of photos, though.

This is the package that I sent to my secret pal. The pics of it that she posted on her blog are much better. Maybe I'll link to it when this is over.

And this is my eldest kitty, Morganna. AKA Ms. Prissy Butt. She was posing and trying her darnedest to look cute last night. So I grabbed the camera and she decided that she would look evil instead.

OK... that's all for now. I have to grab a bite to eat, then I need to go grocery shopping. I should have pics of the sweater I am making my niece soon. I just have a sleave and a half left, then the finishing.

Later!

No pics

2006-11-13T20:44:00.000-06:00

I wanted to post pics of stuff that I am up to, but I can't find the cable to upload the pics to the computer. Grrrr....

My first package reached my secret pal in Germany. She seems to like everything. I took pictures of all of it but...well... you know. I sent her some chunky alpaca like my one skein pal Mel sent to me. And some vanilla-scented smelly soap and lotion from Bath and Body Works. I wanted to send her some pumpkin and spice body butter, but I didn't know if she would like how it smelled. I don't know if she had ever smelled pumpkin, living in Germany and all. And pumpkin seems to be one of those scents you either love or hate.

I also sent her some Fanny May candy... Meltaways and Pixies. Mmmmmm.... And a cute little card with a kitty on it.

As for my own stuff, I finished a hat and my dad thought it was too small. So, I gave it to my mom and bought some more chunky yarn and made a bigger hat and a matching scarf. I'm going to give it to him tomorrow. I'm still working on a few differet lap blankets, and I have started a sweater for my dinky niece. Greg wants me to make him a hat like the one Jayne gets from his mother in Firefly. It's a knit pattern, but there is a pattern out there to crochet it. Or I might just teach myself to knit once and for all so I can make this hat! Maybe not.

Oh well, I need to make dinner and think about getting to bed early. Maybe I'll work on the sweater a bit more. Later!

I'm lame

2006-10-30T12:00:00.000-06:00

I haven't been doing too much. Still working on some lap blankets, trying to find a decent, easy pattern for a hat for my dad that will only use one skein of chunky alpaca. And I've been working a bunch of OT. So, I have nothing to share right now. I really need to go out tomorrow and get some gifts for my secret pal. I haven't sent her anything this month except a cheesy ecard. Well, it was a cute ecard.

I think I might go to the LYS and pick up a skein of fluffy yarn for her. And maybe stop by Kilwin's and get some of their candy. I'm trying to think of something that is absolutely great, yet distinctively American. Any ideas from the peanut gallery?

I really should have bought her a postcard from the Art Institute when I went last week!

WOOT!

2006-10-24T21:21:00.000-05:00

I am posting this damned near everywhere. I am very proud of me! I sewed! Yup, you read it right. I sewed! AND... it involved a pattern! This is the first pattern involving thing I have sewn since junior high. I made a shark pillow then. This time... a skirt! Whoohoo! And it's not hideous!! You can even tell that it's a skirt without me trying it on!

It's not perfect. But it is sewn together, and since I'm planning on wearing it to a ritual, the mistakes don't matter too much. You can barely see them in the dim light. :-)

I have a little hand sewing to do in a few spots. And I am trying to convince my hubby to do the hemming me for me. He's a very good hemmer... always even, you can't even see the stitches. I'm not that good. OK... I'm awful and I never hem anything. That's why I married Greg!

As soon as it is done, I will post pics. I will be wearing it as I lead the Samhain ritual on Saturday, for those of you who will be there. OK... Only one person who reads this blog (out of the whopping two people... not counting secret pals!) is planning on being there. Lesa will have to vouch for me that it is indeed a skirt and even looks like I made it myself! :-)

Alright. I feel like crap. This cold is kicking my ass. I am going to bed soon. Happy crafting!

Yippeee!!!

2006-10-15T22:34:00.000-05:00

I am so proud of myself! I finally figured out how to add buttons! Look to the right and scroll down past the archives and such. See! There are only three of them now, but I'm on a roll. Now that I know how to add buttons, tere will be no stopping me. Look out bloggers, here I come.

OK... now I am really tired. G'nite, again. For real this time!

SP9 and other stuff

2006-10-15T21:25:00.000-05:00

Yeah! Secret Pal 9 has begun! I have been contacted by my spoiler and I have contacted my spoilee! My spoilee is German and my spoiler is from the southern hemisphere. It's rather exciting.

The friend that I have been assigned to has Big Girl Knits listed on her Amazon wishlist. I have been told by some very good friends that this is a good book, so I might get it for her. I wonder if it comes in a German edition. Her English is pretty good, but I know I wouldn't want to follow a pattern book in a foreign language, no matter how fluent I was. I crochet to relax, not give myself a headache (although that happens from time to time as well!).

I'm also thinking of making her a sash/belt/scarf-thingie out of the recycled sari yarn that I have. It would be something cute and quick. But I'm not sure that she would wear something like that. I should ask her what kind of clothes she normally wears.

She also mentioned she likes chocolate, and I would love to send her some. But I feel kind of stupid sending American chocolate to GERMANY. I mean, they are the chocolate gods! Regardless of where chocolate originally came from, the Europeans really know what to do with the stuff. But then, I'm a chocolate snob.

I have the yarn chain letters written, I'm just waiting to get all my addresses together and get them mailed off. The first round of people just has to add their names, make copies, and send it along. They don't have to do any buying! Just receiving! I still need one more address... that is unless a certain kitchen witch doesn't want to play. You know who I'm talking about! :-)

I'm getting caught up on my lap blanket project. I've been a slacker this year, made one. So, I splurged on some Homespun and made 3 blankets this week. I'm also going through some leftovers and crocheting up small granny quares that I might join eventually. I'm great at making the granny squares. Not so great at sewing them together. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate weaving in my ends as well. It's the most tedious part of the whole process and I just hate it. But it must be done! :-)

OK... need to get to sleep. I'm starting the week from hell tomorrow. By next Sunday, I will have worked a total of 96 hours in one week. Yippee!!! I am definitely buying a dishwasher next paycheck! A nice one with lots of options!

G'nite everyone!

SP9 Questions

2006-10-03T17:15:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed the One Skein Secret Pal Exchange so much, I decided to join the Secret Pal 9 exchange. The questions (like all yarn groups!) is geared towards knitters. I'll answer to the best of my abilities:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
After years of using acrylics, I am really starting to enjoy natural fibers. I love alpaca (who doesn't) and some wool blends. I like stuff that is soft... not scratchy. As much as I like the look of them, I hate to work with novelty yarns. Maybe for trims, but that's about it.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a small, vinyl hook case I bought a few years back. I also have a new tote I recently bought on sale at Joann's recently. It's perfect for taking my WIPs to work.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I've been crocheting for about 6 years or so. I taught myself from a how-to book. I consider myself an intermediate. I've finished some pretty complicated items, but I haven't really tried lace, and I keep learning new techniques.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Not yet. I keep telling myself I need one.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

I love sandalwood, citrus-y scents, and very light floral scents. Nothing heavy.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I love sweets. I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate. I'm not sure I have an absolute favorite candy. I do love Ghiradelli squares. Mint and caramel.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I've owned a drop spindle for a little over a year. I still haven't figured out how to use it. I don't really do many other crafts. Crocheting is all for me. Unless you count gardening.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like all sorts of music. Rock, indie, alternative, emo, blues.... you name it. Not much country, but there are a few. My play list is long and varied. Currently, I have an obsession with a few indie English bands and with some club music.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

My favorite colors are green and pink. I also really like blue. There really aren't any colors that I don't like. I rarely wear orange or yellow because they don't look good on me.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have been married for a bit over 9 years. My husband knits. We have three furdren (cats).

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes, yes, yes, and yes. I have made all of the above as well (except the mittens. I have trouble with the shaping)

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

My favorite items to crochet are those that don't take very long. I'm an instant gratification sort of gal. I make a lot of lap blankets (which a group of us donate to local nursing homes), and since I am at "that age" I find myself making a lot of baby items.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Currently I am crocheting some baby booties. Then I need to get to work on some lap blankets. I also have some patterns for a shawl and some fingerless gloves that I want to make.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Of course!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer aluminum hooks over plastic. I haven't tried bamboo yet.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I wish.... I roll the most lopsided balls of yarn. It's pitiful. At least I finally learned how to wind a center-pull ball of yarn!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Let's see.... I've been crocheting for about 6 years, so.... um... 6 years old. :-)

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween (aka Samhain for us Pagans)

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Books. Mirrors. Apparently yarn, although I'm going to use it all someday. Really.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I can't think of any books that I want at this time. Unless there is a really good book on spinning that I can follow. I would like to try using bamboo hooks. I have one that claims to bamboo, but it feels like regular wood and isn't properly sanded. There is a pattern for a shawl that I saw online that has a Goddess symbol crocheted into it that I love.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Maybe one day I'll learn to knit. I really want to learn filet crochet and lace-making.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I don't even crochet socks. I'm planning on it someday, though. I wear a women's size 9 shoe. I don't know how many inches that would be, though.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

May 11, 1975

Chain Mail

2006-10-03T14:38:00.000-05:00

I forgot to mention it in my last post, but I am thinking of starting a yarn chain letter. I was inspired by a sock letter I received earlier this year. The way it works is that I send out 6 chain letters to 6 friends. They add their name to the letter, and forward it on. The next group sends one skein of yarn to the first name on the list. They then move the second name on the list to the first spot, and add their names to the second spot and forward the letter. If it works out well, each person should receive 36 skeins of yarn. I might even make a blog or LJ community so that people can see the yarns and post the who, what, where, etc of their chain letter.

Anyone interested?

Lots and lots of pics (in no particular order)

2006-10-03T12:11:00.000-05:00

I tried to post some of this last week. But there was some error with Blogger, and everything was lost. So, I gave up and decided to try again later. This is now later. :-)

The first pic is of the skirt I was working on this summer. I got the pattern from the SnB: Happy Hooker book. I don't think it turned out too badly. I would definitely recommend using cotton. Lion's Microspun is a PITA to work with. I don't know what I'm going to wear with it. I might have to make a tank top. :-)

Here is the felted purse I made for my Secret Pal. I'm so proud of myself. It's an easy pattern, but I designed it myself. And I am so glad the felting thing worked! I've had quite a few compliments on it from coworkers. I just hope that my Secret Pal liked it, too!

And these are some dishcloths I have finished. I started carrying small balls of cotton yarn in my purse to work on these while waiting or riding as a passenger anywhere.

Morganna didn't want to pass up a photo opportunity. Cats and crocheting just seem to go together!

I made this hat and the following blanket for my cousin. She is having a baby girl in November, and I saw this patten in the Happy Hooker book (it's the bestest book ever!) and thought it would suit her tastes perfectly. It reminds me of Neopolitan ice cream. Cat is not included.

And since I never got around to posting it: Here are the goodies from my One Skein Secret Pal! I love the blank book. The little flowers and the butterfly aren't actually on the cover. Those are little extras she sent with. I think I might use it as a scrapbok for the Sabbat rituals I perform at church.

Morganna loves the little purse as much as I do. You would think there was catnip or something it it. The truth is that she just loves to rub against yarn... when she's not busy squishing it.

And I love this card. I think I am going to frame it and hang it in my meditation room, as soon as it's finished. In front of it is a lovely little sculpture. It looks like a group of people helping each other up. It's going on my altar. It makes me think of a well-run coven. :-)

I almost forgot. Here's a little hat I made for some friends who are expecting a baby any day now. They are having a little boy, and Dad used to be in the Marines. I'm working on a pair of matching booties, using the easiest booties in the world pattern.

Well, I hope I have made all two of my readers happy! I now need to go and do some laundry and then maybe pop in a video and work on my current WIPs. Later!

So I lied a bit...

2006-09-05T22:07:00.000-05:00

I was going to put up pics of the stuff that I have been working on and/or finished. I took the pictures. But... somehow the USB connector got squished. And I don't know how to use Greg's universal one (it involves attachments and switching things and adding others... I'm not hardware inclined). So... no pics, yet. Will try to get them posted tomorrow.

I got my final gifts from my oh-so-very-cool yarn fairy Mel! A big shout out to the west coast! I so very much wish I was there! She knitted me this very cute little drawstring purse. It actually will go quite well with a number of my hippy outfits. Unfortunately, the geeky side of my brain is telling the hippy side that it would also make an awesome dice bag. It's just the right size, and everyone would know it was mine. My current dice collection has fills far too many Bertie Bott's Bags. Oh, the dilemma! :-)

OK, pics tomorrow. I promise. Well, maybe I won't go that far! 'Nite

Grrrr...

2006-08-29T17:44:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure that I like blogger. I keep trying to reset my links and it never shows up. It shows up in the preview, but for some reason, not on the blog itself. Bastards.

2006-08-29T17:19:00.000-05:00

Alright. I'm going to hunt down that danged camera and get some picture posts up here. I need to post a pic of the yarn that my secret pal got me, and the finished skirt. I also have the lap-blanket in progress and a baby blanket in progress. I'm also going to put a pic up of the purse that I made my downstream secret pal. It tunred out really cute. I can't believe I was able to create my own design AND felt it! Go me!

I'll try to get the pics up by tomorrow night. I need to find the button for the purse that I made, and attach flowers to the drawstring of the skirt. I played hooky from work today, so maybe I'll get all this last minute stuff done tonight while watching Eureka on SciFi. I'll make Greg take the picture of me in the skirt, so you can see what it looks like. I'm thinking of making a tank top to go with it. But I really need to get this other stuff finished first! Greg had the audacity to ask me if I wanted to make a baby gift for some friends of ours. I'm currently making the baby blanket and hat for my cousin, the lap blanket, and I have another baby blanket to make for his niece. I might give in and make a teddy bear, though. If I can find the time in between other stuff.

OK... Gotta finish some stuff and get ready for a night of croceting and TV watching.

Does Ritalin work for crochet ADD?

2006-07-26T22:46:00.000-05:00

Eek! I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted. It's been a busy month and I've lost track of time. The other half spent a couple of days in the hospital. He's better now. Diagnosed with hypoglycemia, has to lose weight. We're both dieting, but he's doing a better job of it. I'm exercising more, but not losig any real weight. Of course, I'm retaining water this week, so that may be part of the problem.

I also went camping a couple of weekends ago. Not as much fun as I normally have. Didn't get any crocheting done at all. But, I posted all this on my other blog, and don't feel like reliving the memories yet again.

I've been a busy crocheter with a touch of ADD. I'm working on a lap blanket for my lap blanket project. I've been a bad girl with that. It was completely my idea, but I haven't produced as many as I like in the last year. Everyone I know having babies takes too much crocheting time away from that.

I finished the skirt... ok, it's mostly finished. I have to weave in my ends and sew on the flowers to the drawstring.

I'm almost finished with the gift for my One Skein Secret Pal. I made a little purse with a long strap... you know, the kind that you can fit some money, your car keys, and your ID in. I was worried that it would be kind of silly, especially since I came up with the EXTREMELY simple design myself. But it got quite a few compliments on it from some of my coworkers. My station manager said that she needed a purse exactly like it when she was in Vegas recently. She hated lugging a purse filled with a bunch of stuff she didn't need all over the place, when all she needed to carry was money, key card and her ID. I have to sew on a button, possibly resew the strap, and then I'm going to felt it. Wish me luck. I've never tried anything that ambitious.

I'm also working on a bunch of dishcloths. I wanted something small that fits in my purse. It's nice to have something that I can work on while wating at doctor's offices with my dad, or something mindless to keep my hands out of the snacks while gaming or watching TV.

And I receive my new yarn from my secret pal! It's this lovely lightweight tweed. It's soft and beautiful. I'm thinking it deserves to become socks. I have a pretty pattern for lacy-topped socks and I like the idea of girly-looking socks made out of non-girly-looking yarn.

She also sent some wonderful smelly soap and lotion. It smells so great that I'm almost afraid to use it. What will I do when it's all gone?

I will post pictures of all of this as soon as I feel ambitious enough to bring in the camera from the van. For now, I really need to get to bed. I have to work in the morning, and I should try sleeping before then. It works better that way.

Yarn-love

2006-06-17T21:17:00.000-05:00

What's this? A post? Actually related to crocheting and yarn? Who took over this blog????

I thought I would let you all see how the skirt is progressing. It's not fantastic, but this is the first time I have made something like this. Moving out of the baby blankets and scarves routine. I'm actually thinking of entering it into the county fair. I don't think I have a chance in hell of actually winning, but I will get free tickets to the fair.

I have maybe 10 more rows of the shell pattern to finish, then the draw string. My biggest fear is that it's going to look like utter crap on me. But, it was an experience.

And looky here:

This is the yarn I got from my One Skein Secret Pal. It's a thick, chunky, green alpaca and it is so very soft. I have no idea what I'm going to make with it. I keep thinking of making a hat for my dad for this coming winter. I doubt his hair will grow back for quite a while. He's starting to lose his facial hair as well. This is warm and would make a wonderfully cozy hat for a bald head.

I had a picture of the yarn I bought for my assigned pal, but it got deleted and I'm not really great with the blogger format, so I'm not going to try to repost. I will tell you about it. It's a very soft, light-weight cotton/merino blend (by Sierra) in white. My pal said she was looking for a soft cotton for summer-weight items, and she likes to dye yarns. The ladies at the LYS say this yarn dyes very well.

OK, I have to go finish laundry, and then watch TV and work on my skirt. Later everyone!

2006-06-02T16:41:00.000-05:00

I know, I know... I'm a bad blogger. And a bad hooker. We've actually had some nice weather recently, between thunderstorms, so I've been outside. We have so much work to do on our house, oth in and out, and I've been trying to chip away at it little by little in between my dad's doctor's appointments and my work schedule. Here is what I've been doing:

This is the firepit I bought for my backyard:

I love how it looks like a cauldron and has stars and moons cut-outs. It's perfect! I can't wait to get my Pagan friends over for a bit of drumming and conversation.

Here is my veggie garden. It doesn't look like much in the picture, but I have 6 tomato plants (three varieties), 3 summer squash, 3 green beans, 3 brussel sprouts, 3 broccoli, 1 zucchini (because you can't have a garden without zucchini), 1 regular eggplant, 1 Japanese eggplant, some bell peppers, some watermelon, and either strawberry or rasberry or both. I got the berries from a friend and couldn't remember which was which and they both look the same to me, and of the three plants, one died before I could plant it.

Ignore the weeds surrounding the garden. :-)

I also have a massive blackberry bramble that I covered in netting. The berries were great last year, but I ended up with about 1/2 cup after the birds got to them all. I lest some of it uncovered for the birds this year, but I covered up a huge area of it to keep the buggers out.

Wish me luck. I have never had a garden before, and I really don't know what the heck I'm doing. I'm not using any chemicals on it, because I don't feel comfortable eating stuff I can't pronounce. I have a landscaping mat down over the garden to keep the weeds down. I cut out holes for the plants, hopefully giving them room to grow. I can always make the holes bigger.

On the crochet front, I need to find a skein of yarn for my one skein pal. She likes natural yarns, in neutral colors. No novelty or itchy yarns, and nothing bright or gaudy. She hasn't found a cotton yarn that she really likes, and I was thinking of sending her a skein of Tahki cotton. It's soft and lightweight. Anyone have any other ideas or suggestions?

Later!

Secret Pal Exchange

2006-05-12T16:23:00.000-05:00

WOOT! I got my first email from my One Skein pal. I also sent a secret email to someone as well! I am so very excited!

So, I have to answer a bunch of questions. They are the same ones that I asked of my "yarn-to" pal. Funny, though... my "yarn-to" pal had different questions. Hmmmm...

I thought that I would post them here, since my secret pal has seen my blog. Here they are:

1. Which yarn is most like your personality (you can be specific or general with your answer- brand, type, color, fiber, whatever)?

Egads! What a question! I have an eclectic personality, bordering on multiple personality disorder. I would like to say all-natural, and/or recycled yarns, since I have the whole hippy-Pagan thing going. But I also can relate to fun and funky novelty yarns (although they are a pain-in-the-ass to work with (also, kinda like me, at times!)

2. What is your favorite color yarn to knit/crochet with?

I have to pick ONE?? I like blues and greens. Lots of jewel tones.

3. Have you ever used variegated, or magic, yarns?

I have used some variegated yarns. I really want to try and make something with magic stripe yarn. I have an idea for a handbag (a pattern I'm coming up with myself!!!)

4. Do you tend to favor certain fibers when choosing yarns?

I like yarn that is soft or textured. I'm a very tactile person, and I love to touch things.

5. Do you prefer to work with center-pull or traditionally wound balls of yarn?

Center pull. Or else the ball rolls around and my cats start to chase it. And we really don't want cats chasing yarn. They sometimes eat it and cost their meowmie lots and lots of money.

6. Have you ever worked with organic yarns or are you interested in trying them?

No, but of course I would. Refer to the answer to question one and my hippy-Pagan-ness

7. How many and what projects have you made in the last year?

Oooh... tough one. I made a few lap blankets, although not as many as planned. I made a really pretty layette set for a couple from church. I have recently completed two ponchos. A couple of cotton grocery bags. A few head scarves. A fluffy mohair shawl. A pair of slippers. I think that's it.

8. Will you be knitting any gifts this year?

Nope... because I can't knit. I will probably be crocheting a few gifts.

9. What is your favorite one skein project?

So far, the only things I have completed with a single skein are a pair of slippers and a really cool scarf that looks like a pink boa. I would go for the scarf as my favorite.

10. How much yarn do you have in your stash and how do you store it?

I have lots and lots of yarn. But, not all of it is mine. My hubby knits (occasionally) and some of it is stuff he bought. Right now, most of it is in various boxes in stored in our unfinished meditation room. Someday, we might finish our house and maybe organize our stash.

11. Do you have a yarn in your stash that you love so much you can never use it or part with it?

Nope. I do have stuff that I can't figure out what to make with it though. I have a bunch of pretty blue alpaca that I thought my hubby would use to make a baby blanket for his youngest nephew. His nephew is now almost a year old, and none of the yarn has been used.

12. Do you knit less or differently in the summer?

I crochet about the same. Most of my work is done at work. But I also drag my stuff along to campouts and such. I tend to work more on stuff that will clean easily when I'm crocheting outdoors.

13. Do you belong to any knitting groups (online or offline)?

No.. because I still do not knit. I also do not belong to any formal crocheting groups, although a bunch of us at church bring our projects on Sunday or to other meetings to keep our hands busy.

14. Pal, please confirm for me your mailing address (some East Coast zip codes may have lost the beginning Zero value and appear as four digits, and some pals were in the process of moving when they registered).

I'll email this one.

Additional Questions from my Secret Pal:

What color are your cats?

I tend to stick to monchrome colors for kitties.. :-). The oldest of my furdren is blue-grey with a touch of white on her chest. Next in line is my cow-kitty Zorro, who is white with black spots (and a black "hood", hence the name). Finally, my youngest and most annoying kitty is dark grey with white socks, chest, and chin.
What size shoe do you wear?

What is your favorite children's book? (On a side note to that one, I think other than # 3 I could claim the same on all 6 of the "weird things about yourself" you have posted on yer blog...weird, huh? Not only can I name all 50 states in alphabetical order in under 1 minute, I can sing them :D )

I can sing them, too!!! My favorite children's book, as well as all-around favorite book, is Where the Wild Things Are. I own two copies of it (one hardcover and one paperback) and I have gifted it to all children I know born since 1995. I almost know it by heart.

What is the skirt like that you're making from the Happy Hooker book?

It's a simple skirt with a drawstring waist, worked in rounds of double crochet with multi-colored scallops starting about 2/3 of the way down. It looks fairly easy, which is why I am trying it.

OK... that's all for now. I need to start thinking about cooking something for dinner. And I think I'm going to spend the evening watching TV and crocheting. TTFN!

New yarn! Yippee!!

2006-05-11T21:06:00.000-05:00

What a very happy birthday to me! I was heading out the door, on my way to my massage, when I saw the mailman had come. And he brought me this:

This is 10 skeins of silk yarn handspun from remnants of saris in Nepal. I bought them on Ebay for under $30, after you add in shipping and handling. Go me!

This picture sucks terribly. The stuff is absolutely beautiful, each made up from a gazillion colors. I can't wait to make something from it. I'm thinking maybe a sash or a shawl. I have to finish the skirt first, though.

OK... I'm off to bed. G'nite!

news and such

2006-05-11T13:11:00.000-05:00

OK, I finished a poncho for me! Yay! And here it is:

The color looks like crap, but it's black with red/hot pink fun fur trim. It's the same pattern I used for a friend's daughter, just a bit more embellished.

In other news, I found a LYS. Unfortunately, I do not have the money to shop at those kinds of places. The yarn really isn't expensive for the yarn they sell. I just can never afford to buy that kind of yarn. I wanted to get some cotton yarn for a skirt I like from my Happy Hooker's book, but it was $5.75/skein, and I need about 17.

So, I ended up substituting Lion Brand's Microspun. It's the same weight, so it should work. This is what I have accomplished so far:

LOL, I know... it's not much.

And finally... I got the name of my secret pal for the One Skein Secret Pal Exchange!! Yippee!! I can't wait to start finding yarns and getting yarns. WOOT!

OK, I have to skedaddle. I have a massage appointment to get to. It's my birthday, and I am going all out. But, I'll post all that to my other blog!

Now for something completely different

2006-05-05T09:51:00.000-05:00

OK... so the diet blog wasn't working out. I have too many other things in my life to worry about. So I revamped the whole set up and created my own crochet blog to compete with all those knitting blogs out there. Take that, Molly and Scattered Gemini! So, other than jealousy, what prompted me to start this? Well, for one, I joined the One Skein Secret Pal yarn exchange. Next, I bought these:

So I now have enough crochet projects to keep me busy into the next decade. I also have to crochet some lap blankets, which a group of mine distributes to nursing home residents in the winter. I think I will be staying busy. I'll try to post some more and get some buttons on here as soon as I can!